Efficiency of follicle-stimulating hormone, commenced in   the luteal phase, for overcoming a poor response in   assisted reproduction.
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of commencement of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (recFSH) during the luteal phase in the long-protocol gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist regimen in poor responders was compared with the conventional protocol in a prospective, randomized, controlled study.


METHODS
Forty-two women who responded poorly to previous conventional controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were included in the study. Recombinant FSH (150 IU) was started simultaneously with the GnRH agonist long protocol in the study group. The control group was started recFSH on Day 2 of menstruation in the long-protocol GnRH agonist regimen. The number of metaphase (M) II oocytes, the number of embryos transferred, and the pregnancy rate were analyzed as main outcome measures.


RESULTS
Patients in the study group had a higher number of MII oocytes compared with the control group (6.8 vs 3.2, respectively; P < 0.005), received a higher number of embryos (2.7 vs 1.2, respectively; P < 0.05), and had higher pregnancy rates (38% vs 15%, respectively; P < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Commencement of recFSH during the luteal phase simultaneously with the long-protocol GnRH agonist regiment in poor responder women produces better results compared with the conventional long-protocol GnRH agonist plus high-dose recFSH regimen.
Kucuk
Tansu
T
GATA School of Medicine, Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, 06018 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. tansukucuk@gmail.com
Göktolga
Umit
U
Sozen
Eran
E
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone